The Samsung Galaxy S3 just got another worthy rival courtesy of LG and its none other than the LG Optimus 4X HD. Announced as early as February during the Mobile World Congress, the LG Optimus 4X HD is now available in Europe. For all of our readers in Germany, you’ll be the lucky ones to first have first dibs on this smartphone. LG will then release the Tegra 3 devices in Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom and Italy. LG will have the units ready for you in the coming weeks before they release it in Asia, Central and South America as well as in Eastern Europe.

For those of you who’ve been eyeing the LG Optimus 4X HD since its first appearance during the MWC, you may be glad to know that the device will be sporting advanced features that will make it worthy of going up against the Samsung Galaxy S3. These features include – NVIDIA 4-Plus-1 Quad-Core mobile processor, Tegra 3 which should boasts the device’s speed. In case you’re interested to know, Tegra 3 automatically activates all four cores of the processor when maximum power is needed and automatically defaults to the fifth, but battery saver covers when the device needs less power.

Other key features of the LG Optimus 4X HD that are worth mentioning again are, of course, Android 4.0 ICS for its OS, 4.7-inch 720p True HD IPS display, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage, 8MP rear-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera and a generous 2150 mAh battery. The rest of the features are much what you can find with the Galaxy S3 as well – MHL and DNA support, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and SHSPA+21 Mbps support.

Finally, to sweeten the deal with the LG Optimus 4X HD, it will also be running LG’s own user experience (UX) Optimus UI 3.0 which should come preloaded with QuickMemo app and Media Plex. Unfortunately, LG did not disclose how much the device will be available so better to scope it out. Ask authorized LG smartphone distributors as to how you can possibly score this device if you’re in Germany.

Is this a device that looks juicy enough to purchase on first glance? Drop us a note below and let us know!

Source: LG, The Verge;]]>http://www.androidauthority.com/lg-optimus-4x-hd-now-ready-to-face-samsung-galaxy-s3-in-europe-93974/feed/6Sony SmartWatch is now available from Verizon for $149.97http://www.androidauthority.com/verizon-smartwatch-93932/
http://www.androidauthority.com/verizon-smartwatch-93932/#commentsMon, 11 Jun 2012 10:47:49 +0000http://www.androidauthority.com/?p=93932

If we didn’t convince you to snag the Sony SmartWatch the first time we reported about it, maybe this time you might consider finally scoring one for yourself or your loved one.

But where to get it from? Of course, from your ever dependable Verizon Wireless online store, which is now selling for $149.97.

So, are you ready to part ways with that amount of money? To help you make a decision, let us quickly review the features of the Sony SmartWatch. Or better, let us take a look at how Verizon Wireless is selling this snazzy wearable computer.

According to Verizon, the Sony SmartWatch connects to your Android smartphone via Bluetooth. By doing so, it gives you the ability to receive information and control key functions without the need to remove your smartphone from where you’re keeping it. In short, the Sony SmartWatch serves the dual purpose of being a sports watch and a multi-touch remote information center for your Android smartphone.

There you have it. We’ve told you enough. The rest is up to you whether you’re getting it or not. If you do, you might want to hit the Verizon link below.

Despite its flaws and the complaints of its legions of users, there’s no doubt that the Facebook Android app is one of the most downloaded and popular apps available on Google Play. I mean, who among the Android users you know has not installed and not used the Facebook Android app? Nobody, I guess? That only goes to show that, despite its flaws and inconsistencies, Facebook for Android is a must have for most mobile users.

It’s a good thing then that the folks at Facebook HQ are not resting on their laurels and continue to improve the Facebook app for Android. Take the case of the current update (version 1.9.5), which was just released and is available from Google Play. It’s a pretty simple update with no new features introduced. What the patch does is fix crashes that some users experienced after logging out or when the app remained inactive for long periods.

Lastly, take note that while the Facebook app will run on Android tablets, it’s still not optimized for such Android devices. So don’t get mad when if it won’t look good on your Galaxy Tab, ASUS Transformer, or other slates that are bigger than 7-inch.

If you’re in Europe right now, particularly in Ukraine, and you want to get hold of a dual-SIM phone running Android 4 ICS, well, luck is coming your way. Remember the dual-SIM HTC Desire V that we told you about a few days ago? It’s bound for the Ukrainian market in July.

With all the features that we’ve mentioned intact, the HTC Desire V will be priced at 3,800 grivnas (that’s around $470, in case you’re interested to know). Given its price, you’ve probably deduced that this HTC smartphone is a mid-range device. But don’t let this discourage you from checking it out. Aside from its dual-SIM capability, the HTC Desire V is packed with the usual suspects that you’ll find under the hood of most decent smartphones today.

Here’s a rundown of the specs of the HTC Desire V:

1GHz single-core Qualcomm processor.

512MB RAM

4GB internal memory

4-inch WVGA display

5MP camera with LED flash

Wi-Fi

Bluetooth

3.5mm jack

Beats audio

25GB of free Dropbox storage

microSD card support

Not really the best features but good enough for a mid-range smartphone.

HTC has not revealed yet the other European markets where it plans to sell the Desire V, but we do hope that we will see it available on a wide scale. Most dual-SIM phone’s we’ve seen so far belonged to the lower side of the range, so HTC’s mid-ranger might open up the segment to a wider audience.

Will you be interested in getting this device considering that it has dual-SIM slots? It will definitely have a captive market in Asia and other parts of the world where dual-SIM phone is a hot commodity. What do you think?

There have been several reports about the arrival of the HTC Droid Incredible 4G to Verizon for quite some time now. But as of today, there’s still no official announcement about its release date. However, we did heard that the pricing for the handset might go as high as $299.99.

We now have some good news trickling in. While we’ll have to wait some more to learn the official release date of the phone, the HTC Droid Incredible 4G might not cost a hefty $299.99 after all.

According to a leaked copy of a Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) list from Verizon, the price of the the HTC Droid Incredible 4G will actually be just $149.99 on-contract. According to Droid Life, the outlet that revealed the leak, the Incredible 4G LTE migth actually cost $199 in store, and a $50 mail-in rebate will bring down the price to an affordable $150.

The real question is – are your still interested in getting the Droid Incredible 4G now that the Samsung Galaxy S3 is also Verizon-bound? Are the Droid Incredible’s features (4G LTE, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4-inch qHD LCD screen, 8GB of internal storage, 8MP camera, Android 4.0 ICS) enough for your needs?

For quite some time now, the HBO GO service has been available for the Android platform. Unfortunately, the app has not supported any Android tablet so far, even if the app was updated to run on ICS. The status quo changes somehow today, as one particular tablet is now supported by HBO Go – Amazon’s Kindle Fire.

Available starting today from the Amazon Appstore, HBO GO lets you instantly access more than 1,400 titles, including every episodes of every season of the the best HBO shows. The service is available for free, but you have to be a HBO subscriber of any of HBO’s partner TV providers.

With your Kindle Fire, you will be able to view hit HBO series such as Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, and True Blood, but also classic HBO shows, such as The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Deadwood, as well as original HBO movies.

In addition, the HBO GO app for the Kindle Fire lets you personalize your HBO watching experience by allowing you to create watchlists. These lists keep track of your bookmarked content, to make it available for viewing later on.

Other features include the ability to get new titles simultaneously, resume viewing from the Watchlist on the Kindle Fire, and get bonus content such as interviews, recaps, and behind-the-scenes extras. HBO GO also lets you create customizable views with the titles shown via slideshow, grid or list format, and offers the ability to pause, rewind, and view shows at your convenience.

So, for those of you who have the Kindle Fire and are HBO subscribers, you might want to get the HBO GO app right now.

Among the many mobile game developers, Gameloft is among the most consistent in coming up with games one after another. And mind you, most if not all of those games are not run-of-the-mill but well designed and good looking games. And so it seems that Gameloft is on a roll again preparing a game for Android, namely Asphalt 7.

For those into adrenalin-pumping racing games, I’m pretty sure you’ve played one or two games in the Asphalt series. Asphalt 6 for Android was a big hit and we’re pretty sure, its follow-up entitled Asphalt 7: Heat will surely be a runaway hit as well. Asphalt 7 will take you into the racing circuits in Shanghai, Hawaii, London, Miami and other good-looking racing circuits, at least based on initial in-game screenshots. Of course, the meat of any racing games has to be the cars. Again, based on the screenshots available, the cars in Asphalt 7 looks pretty realistic.

So, there. If you’re a fan of Gameloft’s games for Android, be sure to watch out for this title. Of course, you can always count on us to bring more information about Gameloft games.

Have you tried out any other titles from GL? Are they naturally addictive? Do drop a comment below!

After using the Samsung Galaxy S3 as my primary mobile device for a couple of days now, I’m quite confident to say that Apple has all the reason to be wary of Sammy’s latest flagship device. The Galaxy S3 definitely has what it takes to pull the iPhone 4S down any given mobile tracking charts. In both design and performance the Galaxy S3 can easily match up what the iPhone 4S has been offering. And we all better accept that, regardless of whether we are sitting on the Android or iOS bench.

As an example of how hot of a mobile device the Samsung Galaxy S3 is right now, mobile site uSwitch.com has announced that the device has dislodged the iPhone 4S from the top of its Tech Mobile Tracker. The white edition of the iPhone 4S has been sitting on top of the charts for quite some time now, only to be toppled by the growing anticipation, excitement and exhiliration over the Samsung Galaxy S3. Interestingly, before the iPhone 4S reached the top spot, the Galaxy S2 used to be on its position.

Although, this is just a minor statistic and does not really tell the big picture, it does give us a preview of what’s to arrive in the coming days. Five US mobile carriers have already made their announcement regarding the availability of the Galaxy S3 this month. Pre-orders for the device have been surging on a daily basis, online seaches for the whereabouts of the device and initial sales in May – have all contributed to the Galaxy S3’s ascend into uSwitch’s mobile tracking list.

We have yet to see whether mobile users will embrace what the mobile carriers have to offer. One thing is for sure: if the Samsung Galaxy S3 manages to beat the iPhone 4S in terms of sales figures, Apple better come up with something better in the iPhone 5. Otherwise, it can kiss its stronghold in the smartphone market goodbye.

Good news for Temple Run fans. In preparation for the release of the latest Pixar flick, Brave, Disney has joined forces with Temple Run makers Imangi Studios to give the cult game a new twist. And by twist, we mean a new game – Temple Run: Brave.

The folks at Inside Mobile Apps who were able to play Temple Run: Brave during a private preview event last week said that the game is very similar to the “original” Temple Run. Obviously, the original main character was replaced by Merida, the heroine of Pixar’s movie.

The gameplay remains the same, with Merida continously running along various paths, with a demonic bear named Mordru on her footsteps Along these paths, Merida has to jump over gaps, slide under obstacles, and, of course, collect precious coins along the way. To avoid being accused of releasing an exact copy of the original game, Imangi added some new elements to the game. These include unlockable in-game tapestries which reveal the storyline of the movie and an archery minigame where you’ll need to tap targets as Merida runs by them. You’ll be awarded with bonus coins by hitting three targets in a row.

Also new to Temple Run: Brave is the fact that it will not be available for free. Disney reason decided to put a $0.99 price tag on the game. We’re not really sure whether this is a good move on Disney’s part, but we’re pretty sure that loyal Temple Run fans won’t mind paying.

Temple Run: Brave is scheduled for release on June 14 in various languages, including English, Italian, German, Spanish, and Dutch. Russian, Japanese, and Chinese-language versions will be released on June 21, just in time for the June 22 release of the Disney flick.

That said, it will be interesting to find out how Temple Run: Brave will hold out on Google Play. Will it be as successful as the original Temple Run or will the price tag prevent it from hitting the top of the charts?

Previously released as a game only for Tegra devices, the entertaining destroy-the-world game dubbed Demolition, Inc is now also available for non-Tegra Android phones and tablets. Simply put, this game is almost the same as the one made for Tegra devices and is said to be almost as good in terms of performance, gameplay, except perhaps for the graphics which might be a bit inferior to the graphics in the Tegra version.

For those who have not played this game before, this is an entirely physics-based game with all the goodies that you’ll expect in a sci-fi action game – meaning you’ll get to use cool weponas and tools. You’re primary objective – demolish human cities. By the way, you take the role of a UFO so if that sounds exciting, you’ll most likely enjoy this game.

Adding a unique factor into the game is the fact that everything is not predetermined. This means that during one run, what you’ll do in a particular point in the game might be different the next time you take the game for a spin. Hence, blowing up a building in one game, that building might fall to the right, but then fall to the left the second time you passed through that point in the game.

Other features of Demolition, Inc include fully simulated car and buildings, endless use of combining tools and weapons, various tools and weapons, exciting leves with 6 cities and 30 districts, skills improvement, rampage mode, and online high scores.

Finally, you can grab Demolition Inc on Google Play for $1.99. If you own a non-Tegra phone or tablet, give the game try and tell us your first impression.